Not everyone knows what the nephrologist is treating, attributing to him the ability to understand urological problems. The specialization of this doctor is narrower - he is only interested in studying the work of the kidneys. Its competence includes the prevention and elimination of violations.
Nephrology - what is it?
The therapeutic section is designed to study the work of the kidneys and possible diseases. To learn about what is interested in nephrology, what this concept means, have become relatively recent. This is explained by the youth of the medical section - he is no more than 100 years old. Today he makes diagnostics, development and improvement of medical measures.
The nephrologist - what he heals?
In the sphere of interests of the doctor are diseases of different nature, which appeared due to infections, poisonings and inflammations. The nephrologist performs the following problems:
- amyloidosis - the interaction of proteins and carbohydrates failed;
- pathological changes under the influence of long medications;
- stones in the kidneys;
- pyelonephritis - a defeat of bacterial nature;
- hemolytic anemia ;
- infectious problems of the urinary tract;
- glomerulonephritis .
What does a nephrologist treat adults?
Problems are classified not only by the causative agent, the age of a person becomes an important factor. An adult nephrologist faces:
- the formation of stones;
- nephrogenic diabetes of different origin;
- extensive vascular lesions;
- pielitom;
- gouty kidney;
- polycystic;
- nephrogenic anemia;
- kidney tuberculosis.
Some of these problems require the view of another doctor because of the impossibility of therapeutic elimination. If the disease is not related to what the nephrologist is treating, then the next step will be recommended surgical intervention. For this reason, it should not be delayed with the identification of any problems that indicate renal dysfunction, their early detection can prevent the need for surgery.
The nephrologist - what treats at children?
Violations in the work of this organ in a child are especially dangerous because of the incomplete formation of the body. For this reason, attention is needed to any manifestations that speak of the instability of the urinary system. The pediatric nephrologist must conduct an examination if blood is detected in the urine, because this can indicate an attack of kidney failure. Here's what the nephrologist treats in small patients:
- tubulopathy;
- pyelonephritis;
- nephropathy;
- vasculitis;
- dysplasia;
- abnormalities of the urinary tract;
- nephritis.
When to contact a nephrologist?
The fact that the body does not cope with its functions, can say the following points:
- lack of urine output;
- lumbar pains - symmetrical or on the one hand;
- excess urination;
- renal colic;
- protein or blood in the urine;
- inflammations affecting the body.
In some cases, the urologist-nephrologist should make an inspection, when there is no explicit indication of this, but there are concomitant diseases. Quite often it becomes hypertension. It can be formed against the backdrop of hidden processes occurring in the kidneys. For this reason, when a sustained pressure increase is detected, a doctor should be examined to avoid a possible abnormality of the organ.
The child should be shown to a specialist in the following cases:
- the presence of blood or mucus in the urine;
- crying while urinating;
- puffiness, even if it is only a swelling of the eyes;
- the color, transparency or smell of urine has changed;
- the release of urine decreased to a third of the usual volume;
- urination at night in children older than 4 years;
- constant redness of external genitalia.
Reception of a nephrologist
Diagnostics is divided into:
- conversation;
- inspection;
- analyzes;
- instrumental examination.
The admission of the nephrologist is completed by the appointment of a treatment, which can fall into one of two categories:
- nephroprotective - restoring kidney function without orientation to the type of disorder;
- specific - eliminating a specific problem.
How is the examination from a nephrologist?
First the doctor makes a survey, then instrumental examinations and tests can be assigned. Here's what the nephrologist tests during the conversation:
- Heredity - the presence of diseases of this system in close relatives.
- Intoxication is the place and nature of work.
- Lifestyle.
- Weight at birth and time - kidney cells are created in the final months of gestation.
What tests do the nephrologists take?
After external examination and communication with the patient, the doctor will offer to donate blood for the study of a number of indicators. Analyzes from a nephrologist evaluate:
- phosphates;
- C-reactive protein;
- creatinine;
- urea;
- sedimentation rate of erythrocytes;
- calcium;
- electrolytic composition of urine and blood.
Consultation of a nephrologist
After receiving the results of the tests, a diagnosis is made and a treatment regimen is prepared. If the received information is not enough, then the consultation with the nephrologist can continue with the appointment of additional examinations.
- Ultrasound. Shows the shadows of kidney stones.
- CT. Required for determining organic lesions.
- Biopsy. It is taken for histological examination.
- Angiography (X-ray). Detects lesions of the renal arteries and blood vessels.
- Scintigraphy (introduction of a small volume of radioactive substances). Effective for detection of early stages of neoplasm.
- Selective arteriography. It is necessary for an estimation of a status of vessels.
Before conducting diagnostic tests, the following rules must be observed.
- Refuse to smoke and drink alcohol 12 hours before the visit.
- At the same time you need to refrain from eating.
- For a day you need to reduce the use of liquid to a minimum.
- It is recommended to refrain from using drugs if they are not vital. If you can not make a stop in the course, you need to inform the doctor about it so that he takes into account the effect of the drugs on the result of the study.
Tips of the nephrologist
In the presence of such diseases it is important to follow the recommendations of the nephrologist to prevent their progress or to achieve a complete cure. It is not possible to take this lightly, because organ transplantation is complex, and dialysis substitution imposes many limitations. It is better not to need information, which is treated by an expert nephrologist, but to achieve this is not easy. It is necessary to adhere to a lifestyle that helps reduce the concentration of uric acid, its dissolution and excretion.
Recommendations include the following:
- Refusal of fried dishes, smoked products, sweets, salted fish, spicy foods, broths on bones and meat soups. Instead, it is proposed to eat sprouted wheat grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and drink juices.
- The use of herbal decoctions, watermelons, at least 1.5-2 liters of clean water a day.
- Moderate exercise, walking in the fresh air.
- If there are problems with the outflow of fluid, edema is recommended to reduce the intake of salt, which contributes to water retention. It is impossible to completely abandon it, a strong violation of the electrolytic balance will lead to even greater problems.
- Reducing the use of alcohol or completely refusing it.
- Exclusion of hypothermia, especially the lumbar region.